There is something about the traditional regimental or club tie that precludes it from office wear. It does not appear sufficiently formal. In my position, I would not dream of wearing a regimental or club tie to the office. And yet, I do not want to give up the stripes. After all, there are only so many foulard and solid ties a man can include in his neckwear collection. With that in mind, I am quite taken with the look portrayed in the photos (above): clean, mature, professional, sharp, elegant. I have a few understated narrow-striped ties, mostly, I think, from Brooks Brothers, and I pair them with spread-collared shirts in solid white, blue, and pink. What kind of striped ties do you prefer?
28 November 2009
Striped Tie Solid Shirt
There is something about the traditional regimental or club tie that precludes it from office wear. It does not appear sufficiently formal. In my position, I would not dream of wearing a regimental or club tie to the office. And yet, I do not want to give up the stripes. After all, there are only so many foulard and solid ties a man can include in his neckwear collection. With that in mind, I am quite taken with the look portrayed in the photos (above): clean, mature, professional, sharp, elegant. I have a few understated narrow-striped ties, mostly, I think, from Brooks Brothers, and I pair them with spread-collared shirts in solid white, blue, and pink. What kind of striped ties do you prefer?
LBT - Why do you feel regimental stripes are not dressy enough for daily office wear? I am confused, these guys look in the photos look office appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI think the narrow-striped variety is much more understated and elegant, and therefore more appropriate to my industry (banking), than the more aggressive regimental striped numbers, which, to my eye, appear less formal. The latter seem more suited to garden soirees, history departments, rowing regattas, and law firms. The issue, I guess, isn't regimental striped ties themselves, but the design.
ReplyDeleteWhile i wouldn't mind my banker or broker wearing a colorful tie, somedays I'm just grateful that they wear a tie, my dad does seem to put more faith in people who wear quieter ties. I myself though will wear what ever. I have stripes of different sizes and that go in different directions. I will not however wear any striped ties when in London, too much of a chance of embarassing myself since I don't belong to any of the clubs that those stripes represent.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and I hope you had a good holiday.
Almost any sort of striped tie for me; most especially with a striped shirt and suit. But I work for myself. I used to only wear spotted ties, then only wovens, etc.
ReplyDeleteAs Brian says, these days, if it is a decent looking tie at all, I'm grateful that someone made an effort.
The thinner stripes work best. Somber colors only, blue or bordeaux backgrounds. There are times when they lend an air of solidness, timelessness, and trustworthiness... much needed during a pitch these days.
ReplyDeleteI wear almost any kind of striped tie, with my old school tie being reserved for the occasional visit back and next year's reunion
ReplyDeleteI do like the understatement of narrow stripes quite a bit, but especially appreciate a mix of colours albeit in subdued tones. Striped suits are very complementary, better still if the stripes are restrained. Contrast collar and bengal striped shirts work best, although they already represent around a third of my rotation
The wisdom imbued by my super-trad, immaculately attired (English) grandfather decreed striped ties denote membership, be it of regiment, club, school etc and as such could only be worn by those entitled. Having earned the privilege to sport such a sartorial trophy however, there are no limits on where it can be worn, boardroom,bathhouse or beach.
ReplyDeleteI think there is just a strong power image from striped clothing. I own a striped suit just like the one Daniel Craig has and also a vast collection of various striped shirts and I feel strong a confident when wearing them. Agreed?
ReplyDeleteIs that actually Daniel Craig in the photo? I thought it was a Terence Stamp photo from the '70s.
ReplyDelete